Morrissey ‘Terrorized’ by Unnamed Police Officer in Rome

Morrissey is warning residents of a "dangerously aggressive" and "obviously insane" police officer who terrorized him on the streets of Rome last night, according to his nephew and photographer Sam Esty Rayner.

This morning, Rayner posted to Facebook a lengthy description of the incident that would have made a good scene in the upcoming Morrissey biopic England Is Mine. It occurred on Rome's Via del Corso in front of a Nike store, where an officer allegedly demanded Morrissey's papers. When he could not produce any, the officer allegedly told him, "I know who you are."

According to the post, the officer, who is pictured, held his gun throughout the 35-minute ordeal, during which Morrissey held his ground and explained that he knew the law, claiming he had done nothing suspicious or illegal to solicit the officer's attention. Morrissey called it "a deliberate act of terror." An estimated crowd of 100 people gathered and observed the incident, with some of them apparently recording it.

"The officer unlocked his gun and held it as he screamed into my face. Some people came to my rescue." Morrissey said. "This happened outside the Nike store, and many people filmed the obviously insane officer. I believe he recognized me and wanted to frighten me. I did not back down even though I believed he was about to shoot me. I urge people to beware of this dangerously aggressive Officer. He might kill you."

The officer had no personal identification, but Morrissey shared the man's motor-bike plate number, in addition to his picture.